Improved reading-desk



UNITED STATES ERNST KAST, OF WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT.

`IMPROVED READING-DESK.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 54,919, dated May 22, 1866.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I ERNST KAST, of Waterbury, in the county of New Haven, State of Connecticut, have invented a new and I1nproved Reading-Desk; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full1 clear, and eX- act description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to Inake and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- VFigure l represents a side elevation of this invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the same.V

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

This invention relates to a reading desk which is provided with a'shank tting into a tubular arm, which is adjusted in a vertical direction on the supporting-column of a table, said tubular shank being provided with a setscrew at each end, one to adjust it on the column and the other to adjust it in the shank of the desk, in such a manner that a person lying in bed or on a sofa is enabled to adjust the reading-desk in a convenient position, While at night-time the table aifords a convenient place for the light.

The desk itself is so constructed that it can be used from both sides, and it is provided with suitable springs and lingers to retain the book and prevent the leaves from turning spontaneously.

A represents a desk made of a wire frame, a, which is fastened to the base-plate b, and strengthened and supported by a central rod, c, the outer side of which is bent at right angles and forms the shank B of the desk. TheA frame c rises from the middle of the baseplate, so that the desk can be used on either side, and from the edges of said base-plate rise fingers cl, which` prevent the book from slipping ofi' accidentally.

An elastic cord, e, may be stretched over the book to hold the leaves down dat, and suitable springs f extend from the end bars of wire frame a., to prevent the leaves from turning spontaneously.

The shank B of the desk A is secured in a tubular arm, C, which extends from the supporting-column D ot' a table, E. A suitable set-screw, y, in the outer end of the arm C serves to adjust the shank B at the desired length and the desk at the required inclination, and another setscrew, l1., allows of adjusting the arm C on the vertical column of the table, so that the desk can be readilybrought in a convenient position for the person desiring to use it.

The column D rises from a heavy foot, F, which gives to the whole the requisite stability and prevents Vthe table t'rom tilting over by the weight of the book placed on the desk.

The table is of great convenience, part-icularly at night-time to receive the light, but it may also serve for other purposes. l

Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is`

The readingdesk A, provided with an adjusting-shank, B,in combination with the tubular arm C, which is adjustable on the vertical column D, and with the table E, constructed and operating' substantially as and for the purpose described.

The above specification of my invention signed by me this 10th day of March, 1866.

ERNST KAST.

Witnesses:

M. M. LIVINGSTON, ALEX. F. ROBERTS. 

